Carillion knocked back over business plan as talks continue over future

Carillion knocked back over business plan as talks continue over future

The crisis at Carillion looks set to deepen after it emerged that lenders to the construction giant effectively rejected a rescue plan proposed by the debt-laden group.

The Press Association understands that a business plan tabled by the group on Wednesday was knocked back because it failed to present a solid proposition for restructuring the business.

Sources also suggested that the proposal’s methodology was found wanting, but talks were ongoing.

Shares in Carillion crashed more than 28% to 14.2p following the news, with separate reports saying that the group had put accountancy giants EY and PwC on standby in the event of an administration.

(PA Graphics)

It comes as the Government, pension authorities and stakeholders met on Friday in an attempt to thrash out a rescue package for the firm which would help it avoid collapse.

Carillion, which is struggling under £900 million of debt and a £590 million pension deficit, denied the business plan had been rejected by stakeholders, but added that a restructuring could result in a debt for equity swap.

In a statement, the company said: “It is too early to predict the outcome of these discussions but Carillion expects that any such agreement is likely to involve the raising of new capital and the conversion of existing financial indebtedness to equity which would result in significant dilution to existing shareholders.

“As part of its engagement with stakeholders, Carillion is in constructive dialogue in relation to additional short term financing while the longer term discussions are continuing.”

Unions have also urged the Government to step in to protect 19,500 jobs that are now at risk.

“It would have major implications for the outsourced government contracts the company holds, as well as the firm’s thousands of workers, those in the supply chain and those who rely on Carillion’s pension fund.

“The Government, who despite warnings carried on with its programme of outsourcing public services to this company, must stand ready to bring these contracts back into public control, stabilise the situation and safeguard our public services.”

Talks between the group and lenders HSBC, Barclays, Santander and Royal Bank of Scotland have centred on options to reduce debts, recapitalise or restructure the group’s balance sheet.

Carillion is a major supplier to the Government and key contractor in the first phase of building the £56 billion HS2 rail line, but has seen its share price plunge nearly 80% in the past six months after making a string of profit warnings and breaching its financial covenants.

Gail Cartmail, Unite assistant general secretary, said Carillion’s workforce was being “held hostage by the whims of the market”.

She added: “The huge pension deficit is a further worry for the Carillion workforce, as well as their jobs being potentially on the line, they have also discovered that their pensions, which they have saved for, could be at risk.”

A Government spokeswoman said: “As Carillion is a major supplier to Government it should come as no surprise that we are carefully monitoring the situation while working to ensure our contingency plans are robust.

“We are committed to maintaining a healthy supplier market and work closely with our key suppliers.

“The company has kept us informed of the steps it is taking to restructure the business.”

The Pensions Regulator would not comment on whether it was attending specific meetings, but a spokesman said: “We have been and remain closely involved in discussions with Carillion and the trustees of the pension schemes as this situation has unfolded.

“We will not comment further unless it becomes appropriate to do so.”

Mick Cash, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, said its absolute priority at this stage was its members’ jobs and their pension rights.

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